What is the best stuff to clean my hypalon tubes?

PacificNWrib · 11 February 2009, 19:54

Can anyone recommend something that will get my white tubes white again?

John

Trickdog · 11 February 2009, 20:40

The tubes on my RIB are extensively white and I am intending to try this cleaner next time:

http://www.e-teck.com/engineering/ca...3a51412d5974bb

Followed by this protector:

http://www.e-teck.com/engineering/ca...3a51412d5974bb

Please note that I have not yet used either of the above, but they are recommended on the Revenger web site as being particularly good on white tubes. I am happy to take their advice... And the products are far less expensive than many others on the market. Might not be so economical with cost of postage to the US though!

http://www.revenger.co.uk/cleaners/cleaners.html

jyasaki · 12 February 2009, 00:40

Trick;

You do realize the second item is cleaner *and* protectant, right?

jky

capntroy · 12 February 2009, 08:47

I clean hypalon and polyurethane tubes on a daily basis and have tried the most expensive cleaners from Westmarine, but nothing works like this stuff;

http://www.lastotallyawesome.com/householdchem.html

I buy their "Original AllPurpose Cleaners & Degreasers" from the 99 Cent Only store by the case and it works on tubes and even filthy decks.

Matt · 12 February 2009, 11:20

Manos recommends Toluene.

Trickdog · 12 February 2009, 20:12

Jyasaki

Yeah I know the second item is a cleaner also, but it's recommended to use the Deck and Hull cleaner on the tubes first if they are very dirty. As I said, I have not tried either of these products yet... But I figure if Revenger use them they should be effective. And not too expensive.

Hawley Marine · 13 February 2009, 04:50

Something we came across at Hawley Marine was "Mr Clean 'Magic Erasers'" These small sponges available at most grocery stores make quick work of stubborn stains. These sponges are non-toxic, can be used on both PVC & Hypalon and need nothing but water to work. The spray cleaner "Spray Nine" from West Marine is also effective with the sponge. Let me know if it works for you.

Roy De Vault

PacificNWrib · 13 February 2009, 15:00

Roy,

I will give that a try. I have some magice erasers in the drawer at home. They work wonders with ink pens on tables and walls (my daughters).

Matt,

I do have some Toluene laying around that I used for my whitewater raft, but it seems so harsh. I might use that as a last resort.

John

jyasaki · 13 February 2009, 21:03

Solvents are quite effective, but they work by softening the material, allowing removal of foreign debris. For heavy soiling/staining, it may well be the easiest and fastest to use.

Try to avoid scuffing and such for a bit (twenty minutes or so should do it) until the solvent flashes off from within the material.

Probably a good idea to use some kind of protectant afterwards (303 Aerospace, Inflatable boat conditioner, whatever.)

jky

wes · 17 February 2009, 18:47

I suggest using Aurora Speed Clean followed by two coats of Aurora PolyGuard.

http://www.auroramarine.com

After clean, avoid using 303. It's too slimy and leaves a sheen such that it shows every fingerprint.

PacificNWrib · 17 February 2009, 19:00

I agree about 303 and how it shows every fingerprint. But it is so readily available and it is better than no protection. Sun is bad on tubes...

Dirk Diggler · 17 February 2009, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Manos recommends Toluene.

But he hasn't been around much since he did, perhaps it wasn't such a good idea! Washing the underside of your motor with diesel was a cracker though!

MEK BREATH · 17 February 2009, 20:56

start by wiping the enitre tube with Methyl Ekyl Keytone(MEK) poured on a piece or two of cheese cloth. I then have found the best way to bring back the perfect sheen is the "aurora" poly-guard. good luck!

http://www.auroramarine.com

FedRich · 05 March 2009, 01:39

+1 on Magic Erasers. I used them today for the first time preparing our Hurricane 733 for an inspection next week. It cut through the dead pigment/oxidation on the sponsons in seconds. It also made quick work of some black rub marks and spots on the interior FRP. If I had more than three of them, I would've done the whole boat. Finished it off with 303.

jyasaki · 05 March 2009, 16:51

Good to know. I'd heard of hard boaters using magic erasers for scuff marks on gelcoat, but not on RIB tubes.

Rich; are you cleaning up the NOAA RIB, or does the Hurricane belong to you?

jky

FedRich · 05 March 2009, 22:50

The Hurricane is NOAA's. We have five of them throughout the SE. The boats are ten years old with the original tube sets and O/Bs but still good to go.

I still have to finish cleaning the center console fiberglass using 3M cleaner/restorer and a Mother's Powerball. The results so far have been pretty good. As you can imagine, the boat takes a beating in the FL sun.

ribfan · 06 April 2009, 17:31

Now that the boat cover is off, I finally picked up the .99 ct cleaner that Capntroy recommended. I have to say, it is way beyond my expectations, it's great! It took off some odd white stains that Roll off, my former favorite cleaner didn't touch. It also cleaned the gray rub strake like new. At a buck a bottle it beats the high end stuff.
One question to Captnoy, do you use it full strength or diluted? I used it straight out of the bottle.

Bill